The Parable of the One Quarterback • followHIM Favorites • March 31 - April 6 • Come Follow Me

Summary

Podcast Summary: followHIM Episode – "The Parable of the One Quarterback"

Episode Information:

• Title: The Parable of the One Quarterback • followHIM Favorites • March 31 - April 6 • Come Follow Me
• Hosts: Hank Smith & John Bytheway
• Release Date: March 27, 2025
• Podcast Description:
  Do you ever feel that preparing for your weekly Come, Follow Me lesson falls short? Join hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway as they interview experts to make your study for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints’ Come, Follow Me course not only enjoyable but original and educational. If you are looking for resources to make your LDS study fresh, faithful, and fun--no matter your age--then join us every Wednesday morning.

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Introduction

In the "The Parable of the One Quarterback" episode of the followHIM podcast, hosts Hank Smith and John Bytheway delve into the theme of preparedness and readiness, drawing parallels between sports and spiritual readiness. This episode, part of their "Favorites" series for the March 31 - April 6 Come Follow Me cycle, seeks to inspire listeners by illustrating how unexpected moments can call for immediate action, both on the field and in life.

The Quarterback Parable

Hank Smith opens the discussion by introducing a poignant story derived from Howard W. Hunter, centered around a high school football quarterback. He recounts:

"This young man managed to make the team, but it was clear he was not going to be an All State or All American player... he was the fourth of four quarterbacks... during the final game of the year, he pulled off his shoes, wrapped himself in a blanket, and settled down on the bench to watch his buddies play."
[00:02]

As the game progresses, an unforeseen opportunity arises. The coach summons the sidelined quarterback to take the field:

"Midway through the game, he heard the coach shout his name... 'Hey, you, get in there and move the ball.' What should he do? His first impulse was to lapse into a coma... His second was to pretend he didn't hear... His third was to say, wait, wait while I put on my shoes."
[00:02]

Choosing courage over complacency, the quarterback decides to act:

"He did the only manly thing, strapping on his helmet as he ran, he made straight for the huddle... He called the play, but the shock of his first game was obviously a little disconcerting."
[00:02]

In a moment of panic, he forgets the play and makes a critical mistake:

"By the time he took the snap from center, he had forgotten the play... he gamely went left there alone against the world... swallowed up in a snarl of onrushing linemen."
[00:02]

Reflecting on his experience, the quarterback imparts a lasting lesson:

"The idea is, keep your gospel shoes on, because you never know when it's going to be your turn to get called in."
[00:02]

Drawing Parallels: Riley Nelson's Experience

John Bytheway builds on this narrative by sharing a real-life example from collegiate sports, emphasizing the importance of being perpetually prepared. He references BYU quarterback Riley Nelson's unexpected success:

"Riley Nelson suddenly, with I don't know how many minutes in the fourth quarter, got put in the game and led the offense to score and win that game."
[02:14]

In the post-game interview, Nelson shares his philosophy, which profoundly impacts the hosts:

"My attitude is to have my toe on the sideline, my head in the game and to be physically prepared."
[02:14]

John Bytheway remarks on the profundity of Nelson's statement:

"And I was like, toe on the sideline, head in the game and be physically prepared. And I was like, I'm going to remember that."
[02:47]

This mantra encapsulates the essence of readiness—physically, mentally, and spiritually—aligning perfectly with the episode's central theme.

Insights and Lessons

Through these narratives, the hosts extract deeper spiritual insights relevant to the Come Follow Me curriculum:

1. Constant Readiness: Just as the quarterback kept his equipment on, believers are encouraged to maintain their spiritual preparedness, always ready to act when called upon.

2. Embracing Opportunities: Even if one feels unprepared or beneath expectations, there can come moments where one's actions become pivotal. Embracing these opportunities with faith and courage is crucial.

3. Holistic Preparation: Riley Nelson's approach—balancing readiness on the sidelines with engagement in the game—mirrors the balance between spiritual preparedness and active participation in daily life.

Concluding Thoughts

In wrapping up the episode, Hank Smith invites listeners to explore the full depth of the discussion:

"We hope you'll join us on our full podcast. It's called Follow Him. You can get it wherever you get your podcasts."
[02:47]

He further announces an upcoming interview with Eric Richards, promising a continuation of insightful discussions aligned with Section 29 of the Doctrine and Covenants, which focuses on the Second Coming.

Final Reflections

"The Parable of the One Quarterback" serves as a compelling metaphor for spiritual vigilance. By intertwining sports anecdotes with doctrinal teachings, Hank Smith and John Bytheway effectively communicate the necessity of being perpetually prepared for unforeseen callings. Whether it's strapping on your helmet or keeping your spiritual "shoes" on, the message resonates with timeless relevance, encouraging listeners to live in a state of readiness and active faith.

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• Website: followhim.co
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• Facebook: followhimpodcast

Note: The followHIM Podcast is not affiliated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The opinions expressed on episodes represent the views of the guest and podcasters alone.

Transcript

[A]

Hello, everyone. Welcome to Follow Him Favorites John and I are sharing a single story to go with each week's lesson. John Warren, Doctrine and covenants, section 29, which is all about the second coming. When you think second coming, you think could happen anytime. I better be prepared. All right. This comes from Howard W. Hunter, who told the story of a quarterback on a high school football team. This young man managed to make the team, but it was clear he was not going to be an All State or All American player. Indeed, it didn't look like he was going to be all anything, except perhaps all battered and bruised. He was the fourth of four quarterbacks. By season's end, he had never been called into a game and had given up hope. During the final game of the year, he pulled off his shoes, wrapped himself in a blanket, and settled down on the bench to watch his buddies play. Midway through the game, he heard the coach shout his name. He was startled and wondered if he had been mistaken. Then it came again, right from the coach's lips. Hey, you, get in there there and move the ball. What should he do? His first impulse was to lapse into a coma. His second was to pretend he didn't hear. His third was to say, wait, wait while I put on my shoes. He did the only manly thing, strapping on his helmet as he ran, he made straight for the huddle. His white stockinged feet were conspicuous to the players on both teams as well as the spectators and the coach, who also must have been ready to lapse into a coma. He called the play, but the shock of his first game was obviously a little disconcerting. By the time he took the snap from center, he had forgotten the play. His teammates moved to the right, but he gamely went left there alone against the world. He met the opposition head on and was swallowed up in a snarl of onrushing linemen. He later said, no one expected me to make a touchdown. Even running the wrong way was understandable, but there was no excuse for a quarterback without shoes. So the idea is, keep your gospel shoes on, because you never know. You never know when it's going to be your turn to get called in.

[B]

Boy, that reminds me of a BYU quarterback named Riley Nelson, who suddenly, with I don't know how many minutes in the fourth quarter, got put in the game and led the offense to score and win that game. At the end. They interviewed him afterwards, and Riley Nelson said this thing that I was like, man, I got to write that down. He said, well, my attitude is to have my toe on the sideline, my head in the game and to be physically prepared. And I was like, whoa. Toe on the sideline, head in the game and be physically prepared. And I was like, I'm going to remember that.

[A]

We hope you'll join us on our full podcast. It's called Follow Him. You can get it wherever you get your podcasts. We are with Eric Richards this week. He's been a friend of both John and mine for a long time and you're gonna love what he does with Section 29. Then come back here next week we're gonna do another Follow him favorites.